Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his Top 5 Central London Exhibitions to see in London this Summer. Check out the previous top 5 if you’re after more shows to visit.
Edward Rollitt: Where We Once Played at The Bomb Factory, Marylebone
Step out of the sunshine and into the darkness to experience this immersive exhibition. Allow your eyes to adjust to take in the frame of what was once a house, an empty bathtub, an old wagon, and a chest with a thumping sound coming from inside. It’s creepy, it’s intense, and it’s the kind of installation you would expect from a major institution. It’s a testament to the artist’s vision that he’s managed to pull off something so ambitious. Until 6th July, free.
Kelvin Okafor: Drawing Awareness at Hope 93
In a world where we’re all encouraged to chase an ‘ideal’ vision of beauty, Kelvin Okafor’s hyper-real drawings celebrate those with visible differences, whether that be Winnie Harlow’s vitiligo, Seal’s facial scarring or Katie Piper after she was attacked with acid. He’s a highly skilled artist, and he’s turning his pencil to an important issue in this series of works. Until 3rd July, free.
Ilaria Vinci: Introverse at Alice Amati
Three smoking hearts sit on top of columns, one is on top of stones, another on a fortress and the third on a tower of macarons – symbolising the emotional states we’ve all been through. While downstairs, the oversized paintings of onions turn their insides into labyrinths, demonstrating that they have layers. They are striking works, and I also like the mixture of emotional resonance and references to pop culture, including a nod to Shrek. Until 5th July, free.
The Weight of Lightness at Bluerider Art
This exhibition brings together three artists who all work with paper. I love Angela Glajcar’s layered paper works, which make you want to reach inside. There are a few different techniques of hers on display in this show. Bay Tang Jiaxin delicately manipulates paper with a needle to create texture, and Cao Jigang creates minimalist landscapes with paper. The latter two artists were new to me, and the three together make for a brilliant trio show. Until 27th July, free.
Into the Light: New Talent at the Livery at Pontone Gallery
The Painter-Stainers is a London guild that can trace its history back centuries, and it continues to admit exciting new contemporary artists to its membership. This exhibition brings together artists who have been newly admitted to the guild, ranging from Eloise Dethier-Eaton’s recreation of clothing with watercolour, which fools the eye, to Harry Rudham’s tiny figures that combine to create larger pieces. There’s a wealth of talent in this exhibition, and many great artists to discover. Until 5th July, free.
All images are copyrighted and courtesy of the respective artists and galleries. Alice Amati image: Tom Carter.
